Blackheath 24 Coventry 6

An outstanding first-half display from Jack Walsh saw Blackheath to a third successive victory in the Club’s bid to secure National League One rugby for another term

In a game where defences were on top, the scrum-half was instrumental in the two tries, both of which came from charge-downs, which established the hosts’ dominance by the interval.

On eight minutes Walsh did well to pick up the loose, greasy ball out wide, before captain and second-row Tom Bason came up in support and hooker Gavin O’Meara crossed for the first try.

Then, in the 23rd minute, the scrum-half himself blocked a kick off a defensive line-out before winning the race to ground the ball across the goal-line.

Coventry fly-half Cliffie Hodgson sandwiched both scores with two penalties, but Blackheath finished the opening period mounting huge pressure on the visitors’ goal-line, Hodgson’s opposite number Simon Whatling adding three points to his two successful conversions for a 17-6 interval lead.

Within a minute of the re-start, another chip out of defence stuck conveniently in the hands of flanker Dave Allen for wing Hamish Graham and outside-centre Markus Burcham to combine and send Bason across for a third try, and for a moment it looked as if Blackheath might avenge their heavy defeat in the West Midlands in October.

But the heavy, gusty and damp conditions now had their say, contributing to mistakes, and although each side had chances, neither could capitalise to add to their tally.

Next Saturday Blackheath travel to Yorkshire for their first ever league visit to Hull Ionians.  Kick-off at Brantingham Park is 2.00 pm.

Blackheath

Tries:   O’Meara, Walsh, Bason
Conv: Whatling 3
Pens: Whatling

Coventry

Pens: Hodgson 2